Menopause and Perimenopause Explained

What is menopause?

Derived from the Greek, menopause can be explained as, ‘men’ which means month or monthly and ‘pausis’, which means end or stop - translating literally as the ending of your monthly menstrual cycles.

Menopause occurs due to a decrease in the function of the ovaries and usually signifies the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is a normal process that leads to a reduction in reproductive hormone levels (e.g. oestrogen, progesterone, and androgens). As a result, the frequency of our periods initially become less regular and then eventually stop altogether.

What is perimenopause?

Translates actually as ‘around the time of the menopause’. It is the stage of life when a woman will still have periods, but their hormones begin to fluctuate, triggering a number of physical and emotional changes. A woman can stay in each stage from 4 to 6 years. It is very common for women to not know they are experiencing the symptoms. Only when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, you are officially into the menopause.

During perimenopause, menstrual periods may become less regular, the amount of menstrual bleeding may change and symptoms of menopause (e.g. hot flushes) can commence. Fertility is reduced as women approach menopause, however, women can still become pregnant during this time.

After one year without a period has passed, menopause is said to have occurred, and at that moment women are described as being ‘post-menopausal’.